As part of its efforts to keep sound levels under check, the state government has started noise-mapping of 27 cities. In the first phase, noise-mapping has started in 10 cities, including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Mira Bhayander, Vasai-Virar, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi-Nizampur and Panvel. This will help the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) monitor sound levels in different areas and create a database. In an affidavit to the HC, the government said MPCB has installed decibel meters at 10 locations in Mumbai and its suburbs, including Wadala, Bandra, Powai , Andheri, Kandivli, Fort and Chembur, for real-time continuous noise mapping. At five of these places, real-time data is being displayed on boards.

These details were given by advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni to a bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka, which is hearing a clutch of PILs filed by the NGO Awaaz Foundation and activists including Dr Yeshwant Oke and Dr Mahesh Bedekar on noise pollution.